When supporting charities, the Thomas Crapper team ensures that it “makes sense”….and the bathroom manufacturer’s latest collaboration definitely does! Thomas Crapper is supporting Bowel Cancer UK with the aim of spreading the word about the importance of early diagnosis and of course, raising as much money as possible.
Thomas Crapper will be cycling 250 miles in aid of Bowel Cancer UK – from the comfort of the Huddersfield HQ on the 28th September!
The team would love your support by donating whatever you can through this dedicated JustGiving page.
All of the money donated here goes directly to the charity.
Bowel Cancer UK is the UK’s leading bowel cancer charity. The team is on a mission to save lives and improve the quality of life of everyone affected by bowel cancer. Every year, nearly 43,000 people in the UK are told that they have bowel cancer. It is the UK’s second biggest cancer killer – over 16,500 people die from the disease each year. However, bowel cancer is treatable and curable if caught early and around 90% of people will survive for five years or more. Together we can work towards a world where no one dies of bowel cancer.
UWLA MD Yvonne Orgill says that the UWLA supports the Water Efficiency Fund set out in the Ofwat consultation on Scoping the Water Efficiency Fund August/September 2023.
The consultation is out for comment until 22 September and the UWLA’s response will support the focus on changing consumer behaviour, as well as recommend that the expertise and support that already exists within the Unified Water Label Association is harnessed to help government meet their goals.
Yvonne says, “The consultation asks, ‘How can we most effectively bring in expertise from other sectors and disciplines while also making use of and nurturing the expertise that already exists in this sector?’.
“The UWLA has a robust solution in the Unified Water Label, a smart tool, already supported by an industry that is visible in the marketplace, and changing consumer perceptions.
“The consultation document confirms that it is more important than ever to manage demand for water in England and Wales, as the sector is at risk of falling short of its long-term aspirations and targets in this area. Water companies are predicting that by 2050 we will need 25% more than the water currently put into supply to meet demand.
“We fully support that behaviour change is key and have made this an important part of our focus at UWLA. Manufacturers have developed innovative and water-efficient products, but without educating consumers on how best to use them, we will not see significant change. We have been working with every element of the supply chain, from installers to retailers providing them with the tools to communicate the water efficiency message.
“The development of a well-resourced, collaborative, sustained and wide-scale campaign, as proposed in the consultation, would enhance our work in this area.
“The UWLA does not support an enforcement approach or product restrictions via a mandatory label. This solution is likely to be ineffective, allowing poor-quality products into the market without robust market surveillance. Consumers will move to purchasing from overseas and install these products on variable pressure systems due to poor and inadequate infrastructure. Furthermore, a reduction in standards will likely lead to more water use and even increased health risks.
“Another consideration is the cost. A mandatory label will be significantly more expensive than a voluntary one, and a mandatory scheme will take away the flexibility the industry now has to operate a scheme to meet market demands.
“On behalf of the Unified Water Label Association, I would urge the KBB industry to work with us for the benefit of all to promote our own recognised and industry-led smart tool, the Unified Water Label.”
The British Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom & Bathroom Installation has announced that the 2024 BiKBBI Installation Awards programme is now open for entries.
The BiKBBI Installation Awards, which recognises the talent, contributions and achievements of businesses and individuals in the KBB installation sector, launched in 2021 and has seen significant growth, with the 2023 Awards attracting 130 entries from 102 businesses and individuals across the twelve categories.
The BiKBBI Awards is free to enter, and businesses and individuals can nominate themselves, their business, a colleague, business associate or a company that they work with via a dedicated online platform. Entries can be submitted from Monday 4 September 2023 and more information on the entry criteria, the submission process and key dates can be found at www.bikbbi.org.uk. The 2024 Awards categories are:
Installer of the Year
Young Installer of the Year
Apprentice of the Year
Installation Manager of the Year
Installation Business of the Year
Customer Service Champion of the Year
Community Champion of the Year
Independent Retailer of the Year
National Retailer of the Year
Industry Newcomer 2024
Environmental Champion of the Year
Special Recognition Award
BiKBBI CEO, Damian Walters commented “We have been delighted but not surprised to the see the increase in entries for the BiKBBI Installation Awards year on year– it’s a testament to the importance of the installation sector to the wider KBB industry, and never more so than with the skills shortage that the industry is now operating in. The efforts of installers, installation managers and installation departments operating within the KBB sector are critical to the success of every business within the industry – manufacturers, distributors, designers and retailers – and therefore its incredibly important that the contributions and efforts of the installation arena of the industry are recognised and celebrated.”
The BiKBBI Awards 2024 winners will be announced at a Gala Dinner ceremony at London’s prestigious QEII Centre, Westminster, on Tuesday 6 February 2024, in conjunction with BiKBBI Awards event partners Fix Radio, Quooker and Band of Builders.
Walters continued “These awards are only possible thanks to our Awards sponsors and those that support the programme by entering either themselves or someone else. It was great to see so many businesses come together in recognition of KBB installation at the 2023 Awards, and to be joined on stage by many worthy winners on the night. We hope to exceed the number of entries this year and to honour even more examples of excellence in our sector.
As part of this year’s London Design Festival, VitrA London has invited creative design consultancy, 2LG Studio, to deliver a playful installation in its Clerkenwell showroom – aptly named “Playscape”.
Inspired by sci-fi films and the works of French interior designer Andrée Putman, the installation by Jordan Cluroe and Russell Whitehead – the creative duo behind 2LG studio – combines the organic shapes of VitrA’s Istanbul bathroom collection with a checkboard design made up of curated tiles from the brand. With a captivating monochromatic structure reminiscent of a playground slide, the centrepiece is set to highlight the limitless potential for creativity in the bathroom space while offering a glimpse into a futuristic world.
“Playscape has been designed to re-imagine the way we experience our bathrooms,” says Cluroe, “as if a spacecraft has landed in the VitrA showroom from the not-too-distant future.”
“Bold, boundary-pushing and aspirational, our design speaks of futures past and takes us into new territory, showcasing the elegant organic shapes of the Istanbul collection – contrasted with the graphic impact of monochromatic tiling,” Whitehead adds.
Comprising basins, toilets, taps and showers, the Istanbul collection by British designer Ross Lovegrove celebrates the rich cultural and architectural heritage of its namesake city where East meets West and where VitrA was founded.
Established in 2014 by Cluroe and Whitehead, 2LG Studio is a design practice based in South East London. Originally trained in theatre, Cluroe and Whitehead work primarily in residential interiors but have also created products across lighting, print, furniture and objects. Their first book, Making Living Lovely – Free Your Home with Creative Design, was published in 2020 by Thames and Hudson. The duo have also appeared on the revived series of the cult British interior design show, Changing Rooms, on Channel 4 in 2021 and 2022.
To coincide with “Playscape”, VitrA London will run a series of free virtual reality (VR) experience sessions on Thursday 21 September 2023 (10:00 – 15:00). The brand’s Virtual Worlds software transfers bathroom designs into 4-D, enabling individuals to experience them on a whole new level. At each session, the user will be given a VR headset to explore a fully immersive virtual bathroom space; from turning on a virtual tap to interacting with the latest bathroom collections from VitrA – including those featured in the “Playscape” installation.
Celebrating the start of this year’s London Design Festival, VitrA London will host “Party at Playscape”, an evening event on Tuesday 19 September 2023. Limited tickets, A&D only, RSVP essential.
“Playscape” will be on display at the VitrA London showroom from 18–22 September 2023 (09:00 – 17:00). Free to attend, click here for more details.
Address: VitrA London, 64 Turnmill Street, London EC1M 5RR.
To browse VitrA’s latest collections, visit vitra.co.uk.
Artificial intelligence is taking the world by storm – and to some, it is all a bit scary. So, today, we are focussing on the fun sideof AI – interior lighting.
Matthew Currington, Technical Director of The Lighting Superstore, shares his insight into how we can make the most of intelligent lighting as the global smart lighting industry foresees growth of up to $ 27.7 billion by 2026.
Artificially intelligent lighting is illuminating new ways to enjoy simplicity, cosy complexity and convenience within our homes.
Gone are the days when you walked into a room and flipped a light switch that illuminated your living room with stark, one-dimensional lighting.
Instead, developments in smart lighting offer personalised and optimised lighting to suit every need and mood.
Today, there are many ways to manage your lighting from a smart device, fine-tuning it to your desired preferences and needs.
Personalised preferences
Smart lighting has the ability to glean and store data over time about your lighting preferences in your home.
If you prefer to be welcomed home after work to ambient, warm lighting in the entrance hall, and this is how you set your lights every evening, artificially intelligent lighting systems can learn this trend over time and make sure this is how you will find your lighting upon arriving home.
Smart lighting can automatically sense and adjust depending on the time of day. When the sun starts to set, lights will automatically turn on and switch off when it’s light outside. They do this by picking up natural light levels and adjusting brightness or dimness accordingly.
Scientifically, we know that when the sun starts to set, this signals our bodies to produce melatonin and become sleepy. Known as a wind-down routine, lights that dim slowly over time in the evenings might even improve your sleep.
Colour tuning and dynamic ambience
Artificially intelligent lighting, with the ability to adjust the brightness and colour in one single lightbulb, can set the atmosphere and mood within your home.
Bright lights make one feel alert, stimulated and productive, whilst warm and gentle lighting brings feelings of relaxation and luxury.
This allows for dynamic use of rooms within your home. Your open-plan living room can quickly transform from a blue and energetically lit late-night workspace to a relaxing space illuminated by warm orange sunset tones.
Throwing colours into the mix adds another dimension altogether which is completely possible with AI lighting – the rainbow is yours to play with.
Light control
Smart lighting allows you to switch lights off and on based on various factors such as occupancy, motion detection and the time of day.
These features can provide you with safety and security you have at your fingertips.
Smart motion-detecting lighting will provide you with safe passage if you get up in the middle of the dark night.
Or if you’re going away on holiday, you might like to have your lights set to come on when they detect natural light levels dropping, giving any opportunist thieves a reason to think someone is still home. If you’re looking to play your part in being a responsible citizen and lowering your energy usage or want to trim your energy bills, then smart lighting gives you the power to do so.
Convenience is at the pinnacle of smart interior lighting. The ability to command your home’s lighting, ambience and mood with a simple gesture or voice prompt makes life just that much more pleasurable.
Family-run, independent online tiles specialist Hyperion Tiles’ latest collections include encaustic tiles for eye-catching floors and walls.
The handmade, artisan tiles, designed by Bert & May, are ideal for bathrooms and all inside or outside areas.
Director Richard Skeoch explains: “Encaustic, or cement, tiles are becoming increasingly popular for those looking for versatile tiles with the wow factor. Encaustic refers to the firing process that burns the glazed pattern onto the tile surface or cement tiles, which have been inlaid with pigment to create patterns and colours.
“Our Bert & May tiles are handcrafted, using traditional techniques and natural colours. Designed in the UK, they are hand-poured by a family of fourth-generation artisan tile-makers in Spain and crafted with crushed marble to create extra strength and a beautiful, raw finish. Options include plain designs, while patterned styles can feature anything from two to six different colours.”
Pictured above is theclever design tessellations of Bert & May Tilt Marigold Tile (£156 per sq m). As showcased in Pearl on the floor, the tiles work well in retro/rustic settings and are suitable for both interior and exterior walls and floors.
Pictured below left is Bert & May’s Manarola Tile (£144 per sq m), incorporating a diamond shape for a fresh twist on a classic design. This creates a beautiful pattern suitable for both large rooms and small settings.
Pictured below right is the classic neutral shade of Bert & May’s Brighton Stone Encaustic Herringbone Tile (£209.95 per sq m). It works well on its own, paired with a patterned tile, or combined with other colours from the herringbone collection (pic credit: Samuel Heath).
Four Points by Sheraton made its brand debut in Scotland with the opening of Four Points by Sheraton Edinburgh in the heart of the city centre, marking the brand’s second property and strengthened presence in the UK.
Designed with smart, independent travellers in mind, the property features 69 stylish guestrooms, an onsite bar and Amalfi-inspired restaurant, Almafino, promising an immersive dining experience that celebrates the authentic culinary traditions of Italy, complete with a centrepiece pizza oven.
With its central location just steps away from Haymarket train station and one stop from the airport, the hotel is an ideal choice for business and leisure travellers seeking a memorable stay in the historic city. Four Points by Sheraton Edinburgh has easy access to many of the capital’s top attractions, including Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile and Princess Street, a bustling shopping destination. After a busy day exploring, guests can unwind with Four Points’ signature Best Brews programme, which showcases local craft beers such as Innis & Gunn and Ossian on tap.
Today, we hear from Tom Reynolds, Bathroom Manufacturers Association chief executive, as he reveals the opportunities for bathroom upgrades despite a challenging economic landscape.
While many household budgets are squeezed, an unexpected silver lining has emerged for architects and designers thanks to a need for bathroom upgrades. The latest insights from the Bathroom Manufacturers Association (BMA) poll conducted by Opinium reveal a compelling narrative of homeowners’ evolving preferences amidst challenging economic times.
In the face of financial constraints, homeowners are proving to be more discerning than ever in their home improvement pursuits. The poll reveals a preference for incremental enhancements, such as replacing bathroom fittings and shower controls. This trend showcases the unwavering appetite for enhancing living spaces, even when undertaking full-scale renovations might seem financially daunting for some.
The confluence of factors, including the prevailing economic climate and the enduring work-from-home trend, continues to encourage homeowners to rethink their living environments. Rather than relocating, they are channelling their resources into upgrading their existing homes. For instance, the desire to redesign homes to accommodate an extra cloakroom can open opportunities for architects and designers to curate innovative spaces that align with homeowners’ evolving lifestyles and preferences.
While the data suggests a dip in homeowners planning comprehensive bathroom overhauls, it reveals a willingness to invest in home upgrades. This insight presents an optimistic outlook for the design community. The crux lies in crafting solutions catering to functional and aesthetic aspirations. Good design will be central to these ventures, ensuring that each project aligns harmoniously with the homeowner’s vision.
Moreover, the responsibility to champion sustainable practices looms large for architects and designers. They are a crucial part of the effort to promote water-saving and energy-saving technologies within bathroom spaces. By advocating for these innovative solutions, the design community can empower consumers to realise financial benefits and contribute to a greener future. In a world increasingly conscious of environmental impact, such measures are pivotal in nurturing a sense of responsibility toward the planet.
Ultimately, the cost of living crisis has paradoxically ushered in a unique era of opportunity for architects and designers in the UK. While the BMA poll underscores a shifting landscape where many homeowners will opt for incremental bathroom upgrades, the design community’s expertise becomes paramount in guiding them toward exquisite, sustainable, and functional bathroom upgrades. Amidst challenges, architects and designers hold the blueprint to not only redefine living spaces but also foster a more sustainable future.
Retailers using Virtual Worlds design technology can now include products from leading manufacturer Schlüter-Systems as its catalogue joins the platform.
Tile installation product manufacturer, Schlüter-Systems, provides solutions that prepare and protect tile or stone installation in bathrooms and wetrooms.
The latest catalogue includes the Schlüter-DITRA range, which the company claims is a superior product when it comes to waterproofing, uncoupling, vapour pressure equalisation, load transfer and heat distribution.
The latest redesign of DITRA now features EasyCut gridlines that make the mat easier to handle and faster to cut and an EasyFill design with integrated air-release vents for better air circulation.
The catalogue also features the Schlüter-DITRA-HEAT and DITRA-HEAT peel and stick uncoupling mats, designed for attaching electric heating cables, and Schlüter-KERDI-BOARD, a tileable, waterproof backerboard which has multiple uses, such as creating a fully waterproofed wall or adding finishing touches such as a bench or shelving to a bathroom.
All of these and more are now available for Virtual Worlds’ retailers to add to their designs at the click of a button.
Through its intuitive end-to-end software solutions, Cyncly connects professional designers, retailers and manufacturers to integrated management tools and catalog content hub. Cyncly solutions serve over 70,000 customers globally, helping to simplify communication, reduce errors, grow sales, increase efficiency and drive innovation.
HiB, a leading supplier of bathroom mirrors, cabinets, furniture and accessories, has launched its latest Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) report, highlighting recent achievements in environmental sustainability and community engagement.
The CSR report for 2023 outlines HiB’s commitment to creating a positive impact on both the environment and society. By implementing new carbon-reducing strategies and fostering a culture of responsible business, HiB has effectively reduced scope three emissions by 31% and overall emissions by 7%, reflecting the company’s dedication to environmental stewardship.
“We are delighted to share the outcomes of our continuous efforts to minimise our ecological footprint,” said Emma Cuggy, Director of People and ESG at HiB. “This achievement is a testament to our continued efforts towards sustainability, contributing positively to the world we live in.
“This year, we have focused on improving our methods of measuring data, refining practices and putting in procedures to increase our results in the years to come. But to have also had success in reducing emissions this year is fantastic.”
The drop in emissions is attributed to a comprehensive approach that includes energy efficiency initiatives, waste reduction programmes and integrating renewable energy sources into HiB’s operations. These efforts align with the company’s environmental goals and demonstrate HiB’s ability to drive innovation in sustainable business practices.
Furthermore, the CSR report highlights HiB’s exceptional community and charity fundraising growth, showcasing the company’s commitment to social responsibility beyond its core business operations. Through partnerships with local organisations and employee-driven initiatives, HiB has significantly increased its contributions to community development projects and charitable causes.
“Investing in the wellbeing of our communities has always been at the heart of our company’s values,” Emma emphasises. “We believe that responsible business encompasses not only environmental awareness but also actively participating in creating positive change in the communities around us.”
